Genetically Modified Food Essay

Genetically modified (GM) foods atomic number 18 ethically unacceptable. GM foods are food production derived in whole or part from a catchingally modified organism by human intention. It is a special set of technologies that concerns the alteration, deletion, or profit of the genetic makeup of living organisms such as animals, plants, or bacteria.This is an important issue because GM foods have been dubbed as the Food of the Future and although studies have shown that genetically modified foods may bring about many benefits to mankind, we must also look into the ethical issues involved in producing such food before we however consider accepting it as the flair of the future. First, we must understand that the word ethical is defined as having to do with ethics or morality or of conforming to moral standards.There will be 3 parts to this essay. Firstly, I will be presenting and defending 2 arguments that support my stand. Following that, Ill take into consideration some common objections a run intost my thesis. Lastly, I will summarize the main points in this essay before drawing to a conclusion. The essays argument takes the form of Modus Ponens If GM is X, GM is unethicalGM is X GM is unethicalMy main argument is that it is unethical to tamping bar with genius by mixing genes among the different species. By doing so, it may actually lead to a violation of natural organisms intrinsic values. There is a very delicate ratio that links this universe together and this is the balance that makes things work. GM foods top executive actually get out rise to more complications such as the disturbance of natures food pyramid.For example, the pesticide produced in the crop may unintentionally harm other cr tuckerures while producing a benefit to others. The introduction of pest-resistant genes into crops could lead to the death of the pests and other animals causation an imbalance in the food chain that could possibly lead to the extinction of some species especially if they are only localized in one peculiar(prenominal) area.In Britain, a native farm bird, the Skylark, was indirectly affected by the introduction of GM sugar beets that were designed to resist herbicides. The result in position this crop was that weeds were reduced substantially. However, since the birds rely on the seeds of this weed in autumn and winter, researchers expect that up to 80% of the Skylark population would have to regulate other pixilateds of finding food. Another issue brought up is that GM crops may also pose a health risk to native animals that eat the plants and may be poisoned by the built-in pesticides.Although others might also argue that the cutting down of trees to construct buildings might also be a way of tampering with nature, GM food not just tampers with physical nature but with the foundation of nature genes. Every organism, no matter how downcast, is made up of genes. These genes control the physical development and behavior of the organism and are passed down from parent to offspring. The word genes (comes from the Greek word genos meaning origin) actually defines natures origin and the production of GM food would mean to change the origin of nature.Furthermore, religious communities Christians, Hindus, Jews and Muslims also share such concerns regarding GM products. According to Bishop Jeff Davies from the SA Council of Churches, With genetic engineering, we are tampering with the structures of life that have taken millions of years to evolve and we have the arrogance to think that we can improve on them in 10 years to transfer a gene from one species into another. Different religious communities have different believes and one of them would be their food such as kosher and halal food.But with the introduction of animal genes into plants how will they define a tomato with a fish gene? This will also be a major concern to vegetarians. All in all, I believe that people should be happy with what nature has to give and not play God and listen to control nature. It is unethical to sacrifice other creatures and meddle with the delicate balance of nature. Furthermore, there will be potential chain reactions that may be unstoppable. adept other argument is how GM products can affect our health especially in the long run. The unpredictable changes in our food could lead to negative reactions that are not detected by research techniques until much later. A quick acceptance of GE foods without proper testing could show corporate profitability to be very influential but that would be too dangerous because there has been no adequate safety testing to ensure that using other organisms genes is going to have the same useful effects if inserted into a totally unrelated species.Furthermore, testing has only been done on a small scale currently and its hard to predict what will happen when its used on a wider ecology. In 1989, dozens of Americans died and several thousands were discompose and impair ed by a genetically altered version of the food supplement L-tryptophan. Studies have been done to show how viruses can mix with genes of other viruses to give rise to more deadly viruses. To mass market the use of GM food when it has not been properly tested for safety issues would mean that businesses are gaining at the expense of consumers health and is therefore ethically unacceptable.On the other hand, some organizations insist that GM technology is the solution to solving the problem of world hurt. However, I feel that it is patently a ploy of corporations and countries that are using the plight of the developing world as a marketing strategy to gain acceptance of GE foods. GM technology is not an economical method that can be easily implemented by most countries. In fact, genetic engineering techniques are currently being applied to crops important to the industrialized world and not on crops which the worlds hungry depend on.GM foods could actually reduce developed countri es reliance on crops from developing countries, resulting in loss of trade and severe economic damage for them and intensifying their problem of poverty. This would mean that theres a conflict of interest. Furthermore, an important factor that Friends of the Earth has pointed out is that many people in the world are suffering from malnutrition and smart because they cannot afford to buy food, not because it is unavailable. Therefore, even with GM food, people would still not be able to afford it or have it distributed appropriately.Most of the causes of hunger are found in global politics, sooner than issues of agriculture and technology. As a result, a variety of groups and people are questioning the motives behind GM foods as the political causes of hunger appear to be ignored.An article from Food First observed that most innovations in agricultural biotechnology have been profit-driven rather than need-driven and it questions whether GE technology can really ensure food security , protect the environment and reduce poverty in the developing world or is it produced simply because its patentable and thus, profitable to businesses. In some cases, as reported by The Institute for Science, pesticide usage is actually increasing, and GE crop actually yield little than conventional crops.In this essay, I have come up with several valid reasons why Genetically Modified Foods are ethically unacceptable. GM foods tamper with the origin of nature which is the genes and there is inadequate safety testing to prove that GM food is safe for human consumption.Therefore, businesses are mass marketing GM food at the expense of consumers health and proclaiming that GM Food is the solution to world hunger when it might not be true. Although there might be potential and benefits in GE technology, there are still many unknown areas that might prove to be more harmful then(prenominal) beneficial. Furthermore, there are still too many important ethical issues that have been igno red and that reason by itself makes it ethically unacceptable.